Romania’s economic growth has accelerated in recent years, but the outlook for 2025 raises questions. The risk of fiscal changes, such as VAT increases in 2025, could have a significant impact on the business environment and Romania’s attractiveness for foreign investors, said Vincenzo Moderno, vice-president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Romania (CCIpR), at the conference “Digitalization and Energy Efficiency – Timisoara”, organised by Energynomics.

“Romania has grown a lot in recent years, but we are worried about next year. There are rumours that tax increases are in the pipeline and VAT will almost certainly be raised,” said Moderno.

Over the past decade, the minimum wage has risen sharply, which has influenced investors’ decisions. This has brought the country closer to the economic level of countries in the region, such as Poland and Hungary, where operating costs are similar. But as the minimum wage has risen sharply, Romania is no longer as attractive a destination as before. Moderno believes that in order to continue to attract foreign investment, Romania needs to adapt to the changing regional landscape.

“In the past, investors were attracted by low wages and low taxes. Now the situation has changed and Romania must be able to attract foreign investment,” he said.

The conference “Digitalization and Energy Efficiency – Timisoara” was organised by Energynomics, with the support of its partners: ABB, BCR, CRC, Datacor, Elektra Renewable Support, MET Energy Romania, Nofar Energy, Polytrade Global, Volt, WALDEVAR Energy.